Volume 1, Issue 4
December, 2015
Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High Schools
The Monthly Update
PLANNING AHEAD
Principal’s Message
December 7th
 6th Grade AntiBullying Assembly
at 9:00 a.m.
It’s hard to believe that December is here and that we are in the midst of the holiday season.
In just three short weeks, students and staff will be on Winter Break and looking forward to
the new year.
December 10th
 Chamber Strings to
Fox8 in the Morning
With the month of December comes a full schedule of athletic events as most winter sports
teams are in full swing. In addition, we have three winter concerts this month that highlight
seasonal instrumental and vocal arrangements. Please check the school calendar for dates
and times of all CHHS and CHMS events.
December 14th
 MS and HS Winter
Band Concert at
7:00 p.m.
I would like to wish all students, parents and community members a safe Winter Break, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. I cannot express how fortunate I feel to be part of an
excellent school district and an outstanding community. The opportunities to celebrate our
school seem endless. I hope you all find time to reconnect with family and friends, to get
some much needed rest, and to look ahead to the exciting opportunities in 2016.
December 15th
 MS Choir and Orchestra Winter Concert at 7:00 p.m.
December 16th
 Board of Education
Meeting at 7:00
p.m.
December 17th
 High School Winter
Orchestra and Choir
Concert at 7:00
p.m.
December 18th
 Scarlet Angels to
Fox8 in the Morning
December 20th
 Winter Break begins
January 3rd
 Winter Break ends
Music in the Community
During the holiday season, students in our music program will be performing at many locations in our community and throughout Cuyahoga County. The best opportunity to see a
performance by the Scarlet Angels, orchestra, band and choir is to attend one of our Winter
Concerts. Here is a listing of events:
 11/29—Scarlet Angels, Brooklyn Heights Tree Lighting at the Brooklyn Heights Community Center
 12/6—Scarlet Angels, Valley View Tree Lighting at the Valley View Community Center
 12/8—Chamber Strings, Marymount
 12/9—Scarlet Angels, Euclid Hospital
 12/10—Chamber Strings, Fox8 In The Morning
 12/12—Scarlet Angels, Cuyahoga Heights Village Hall
 12/13—Scarlet Angels, Playhouse Square
 12/14—Band, Middle School and High School Concert
 12/15—Scarlet Angels and Jazz Band, Brooklyn Heights Senior Citizens at the Brooklyn
Heights Community Center
 12/15—Orchestra and Choir, Middle School Winter Concert
 12/17—Orchestra and Choir, High School Winter Concert
 12/18—Scarlet Angels, Fox 8 In The Morning
 12/18—Scarlet Angels and Chamber Strings, Botanical Gardens
Please visit our school website and view the “Calendar” for more details on most events.
The Monthly Update
November Pride Tribe—Respect
Respect is showing a high regard for yourself, others, and property. Respect includes
cooperation, listening to, and understanding others. It's about treating others the way
you want to be treated. Respect requires following the rules of family, school and
country. It means speaking courteously to everyone and listening to another person's
opinion, even if you don't agree.
This month, four students were recognized for demonstrating respect:
 Week of November 1st—Purva Chauhan, nominated by Mrs. Seitz
 Week of November 8th—Amelia Kanzig, nominated by Mrs. Ameduri
 Week of November 15th—Jason Bartosik, nominated by Mrs. Studier
 Week of November 22nd—Trey Combs, nominated by Dr. Friedt
November Students of the Month
At the November 18th Board of Education meeting, selected students in grades 6 – 12
were honored as being our Students of the Month. These students perform exemplary in
the classroom and are positive role models to their peers. Congratulations to the following students:
 12th Grade—Elizabeth Kochis
 11th Grade—Vito Pavlovic
 10th Grade—Caroline Pesta
 9th Grade—Nassiem Salem
 8th Grade—Katherine Berhent
 7th Grade—Olivia Galek
 6th Grade—Reagan Sturgill
Senior Project
Seniors have an opportunity to participate in a project during the last two weeks of school
as part of a “Senior Project” in lieu of final exams. To be eligible, senior students must
have at least a 1.50 G.P.A., have completed their community service hours, have no major
disciplinary referrals, be passing all classes and maintain a good attendance record. The
projects consist of work in a career area of interest or an extended community service project.
Senior students interested in this option should begin the planning process ASAP. Packets
are available in the Main Office upon request. The preliminary application is due January
25, 2016. A senior class meeting will be held in the near future to explain Senior Project in
more detail.
Page 2
The Monthly Update
Volunteer Hour Opportunities
Opportunities are available for students seeking community service hours. CHHS students
are required to earn 60 hours for graduation. In addition, students in NHS, NJHS and Student Council have service requirements. By visiting the Cuyahoga Heights website, clicking the “Guidance” tab and choosing the “High School” link, students can find an updated
list of community service events. Here are current chances to earn hours:
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Brooklyn Heights Senior Chore Services
MetroHealth Volunteer Services
PTO Santa Breakfast - Volunteers are needed Saturday, December 5th, 9:00noon. If you are interested, sign up in the Guidance Office.
Share the Warmth - Between November 30th and December 11th, the PTO will be
collecting new or gently used coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and socks. If you would like
to help, contact Mrs. Pisaneschi (216-408-3327 / [email protected]) or
Mr. Vallee (440-487-2328 / [email protected]). Flyers are available in the Guidance Office.
Valley View Community Tree Lighting Ceremony - Sunday, December 6th, 4pm8pm. Possible duties include helping to set up, cleaning up afterwards, handing out
pizza, working with children at the craft tables. Call or text Christina Wilson at 216870-0320.
Zoo Crew 2016 - Online registration begins December 21st.
Reminder—Required InfoSnap Student Registration
The Cuyahoga Heights School District is requiring all families to complete online student registration this school year, powered by InfoSnap. The system is a secure and paperless process which allows the district to verify all student demographic, emergency and
medical information for the upcoming school year. The system will also allow you to electronically sign the annual permission forms for school district policies. In short, this online
process replaces all the hard copy student registration and permission forms that
your child brings home on the first day of school.
All families received a letter from the district with instructions on how to access the system. Families can create an account that will be used each year for this process. To make
the process easier for families with multiple students, the option exists to copy all generic
family information to all other students in the family.
All families should complete these forms as soon as possible. If you have any questions
or need assistance, please contact the school office. We hope that you find this system easy
to use and we thank you for helping us “go green!”
Page 3
The Monthly Update
Middle School Team of the Month—8th Grade
In Pre-Algebra 8, our students have been working with slope intercept form.
They recently completed a project in which they had to take a real world situation, write an equation in y = mx +b form, create a table of solutions and construct a graph of the data. The students then had to draw conclusions based on
their solutions and graphs. Students wrote an essay describing their findings and
presented their information to their class.
In Ohio History 8, our students are in the process of memorizing the first 18 presidents. We are studying the early presidents in our country's history (Washington,
Adams, Jefferson, etc.) and analyzing trends and tendencies of their respective
presidencies.
In 8th Grade Reading our students are beginning a new unit in their Literature
books. We are concentrating on the ideas of setting and mood. We have read exciting stories such as “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh,” by Ray Bradbury, in honor
of Veteran’s Day and “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs.
In 8th Grade Accelerated Reading classes, Unit 3 in the Literature series is being
studied. These students are also working hard improving their vocabularies as
they read the story of Simon in “Simon’s Saga,” taking a moodle quiz every other
week on one of the chapters.
Our eighth grade English students are currently engaged in reading and discussing The Diary of Anne Frank and the Holocaust. They also attended a field trip to
Congregation Shaarey Tikvah's (a local synagogue) as part of a face-to-face Holocaust education program.
In Science 8, our students just finished studying plate tectonics and the geologic
features they create. From now until the Winter Holiday, we will study how geologic processes both destroy and build up the Earth's surface.
In November, the Middle School Student Council sponsored a Food Drive benefiting the Brooklyn Heights Food Bank. Students earned a ticket for every non
perishable item they bought in. The tickets were used to raffle off teachers. Students then chose to have the teacher decorate their locker, bring in baked goods
or eat lunch with them. In December we will be partnering up with the other students councils and PTO for a coat drive.
Page 4
The Monthly Update
High School Department of the Month—SCIENCE
LABS
The year was off to a great start with the Chemistry Density Challenge Lab. In this lab, students only
used water, sugar, and food coloring to create a density column in a test tube that included very distinct layers of colored water. Formal instruction on how to create the layers was not revealed to the
students. Students wrote their own procedures to complete this challenge, requiring them to put their
problem-solving to the test! Other science classes joined the challenge, putting multiple grade levels’ problem-solving skills to the test. Ultimately, lab technique played the biggest role in the challenge. Congratulations to victors RJ Dean, Katrina Orr, and Kayla Nero with a record time of 17min
43sec.
The most recent lab from the science department is the flame test. The flame test is a qualitative test
used in chemistry to help determine the identity or possible identity of a metal or metalloid ion found
in an ionic compound. If the compound is placed in the flame, there may be a characteristic color
given off that is visible to the naked eye. Through research, students discovered many real life applications to the lab. Two of many real life applications are:
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Different metals or metalloid ions create the different colors in fireworks. They can have a better
idea of which metal or metalloid is creating those colors.
Campgrounds offer a liquid solution to spray or salt packets to put in your campfire to make
your campfire glow different colors. The lab developed their understanding of how this happens
and what metals or metalloids are involved.
In a recent Honors Biology lab, students simulated the permeability of the cell membrane by using
some household products. Pictured to the left are students (L-R) Madison Pazey, Victoria Santiago
and Reilly McEntee. Reilly is demonstrating how cell membranes can self-repair by inserting his
hand through the cell membrane replica without damaging it.
In a recent Honors Physical Science class, the students ventured outdoors to explore the properties of
gases by filling a 40 foot long black tube with air and observing the effects of temperature on volume
and density. To further explore gas laws, they made model lungs which are displayed in the middle
school.
FIELD EXPERIENCES
On Wednesday, September 23, Mr. Robinson’s Environmental Science class took a local field trip to
the Northeast Ohio Sewer District (NEOSRD) off of 49th Street, right here in our very own Village
of Cuyahoga Heights. To witness the complex process of water reclamation was an eye-opening
experience. NEOSRD’s Unit Process Manager, Eric S. Hinton, proved to be extremely knowledgeable and was hugely successful in relating applied science content to the entire student body in attendance that day.
In just three compact hours, the CHS students and teachers in attendance got to meander through
each and every stage of the water treatment process, from filtering of large and small debris to the
introduction of biological “bug” catalysts. We also witnessed schools of fish swimming in crystal
clear (and clean) water before it left the plant facility to flow directly into the Cuyahoga River. We
even toured the 200 million dollar, state-of-the-art building that houses one of the nation’s largest
incinerators, that takes the leftover waste “sludge” and converts it into megawatts of useful, green
energy to power a large proportion. Just ask any of Mr. Robinson’s Environmental Science students
if they enjoyed their experience and you’ll receive a resounding YES! More field experiences are
being scheduled as the Science Department continues to grow and expand the way in which it makes
ties to the three villages of the Cuyahoga Heights School District.
Page 5
The Monthly Update
Excessive School Absences
Attendance is governed by the Ohio Compulsory Attendance Laws. Cuyahoga Heights adheres to
these regulations which are specific and leave little option for school officials to excuse students
from school. One of our goals is for our students to benefit from all educational opportunities provided to them. We know that there are times when an absence is unavoidable, but we also know that
school attendance is important in developing a healthy work ethic and in helping students have the
greatest opportunity for academic success. We aim to work with parents to help achieve that balance where a child is able to stay home when necessary, but where the child also understands that
regular attendance is essential to meeting his/her educational goals.
As we proceed throughout the school year and student absences increase, I want to review some important details:
 Students taken out of school for trips and vacations (5 days max.) or college/career related visitations (2 days max.) or military testing/processing must complete a “Pre-Planned Absence
Form” to be turned in 3 days prior to the absence. This form is obtainable in the Main office.
Instructions on this form must be followed.
 Students are permitted 10 excused absences per semester.
 All absences beyond the 10-day limit will be unexcused unless they are accompanied by a physician’s note or a court document. Excessive unexcused absences may result in the filing of truancy.
For most students, excessive school absences are not a concern and parents should consider this as
useful information only. If at any time you wish to discuss a concern regarding your student’s attendance, please feel free to contact my office.
CHS Charity Winter Clothing Drive
The CHS Charity Winter Clothing Drive, sponsored by the PTO and in cooperation with CHES and
CHMS, will be held from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 11. Main items for collection include coats (children’s, women’s, and men’s), hats, gloves, mittens and socks.
Items should be new or gently used. All sizes are needed. Please send the winter clothing to school
with your child or drop it off in one of the donation boxes. Donation boxes will be located near the
elementary, middle, and high school offices; the entrances of the North and South gyms; and the
auditorium. The boxes will be available during the PTO Santa Breakfast and the Winter Musical
concerts. For your convenience, donation boxes will also be located in the lobbies of the Brooklyn
Heights Municipal Center and Community Center, the Cuyahoga Heights Village Hall, and the Valley View Village Hall and Rec Center.
To request a pickup of your donation or if you are in need of clothing, please call Melissa Pisaneschi
for arrangements. Please note: all clothing requests will remain confidential. The children’s clothing will be redistributed to Coats for Kids, while the adult clothing will be redistributed to four
Greater Cleveland shelters on Christmas Eve. Anyone interested in joining us, please let us know.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and let us show the Greater Cleveland community the
Warmth of our CHS hearts and help them stay warm this winter!
CONTACT INFORMATION: Melissa Pisaneschi, 216-408-3327, [email protected]
Rich Vallee, 440-487-2328, [email protected]
Page 6
The Monthly Update
State Test Results to be Mailed Soon
Student Score Sheets for 2014-2015 will be mailed home to families in early December.
To keep families informed, I want to provide information regarding state testing results.
1) What do test results mean?
 5—Your child’s understanding is ADVANCED. She demonstrates a distinguished command of Ohio’s Learning Standards for this subject. She is on track
to succeed in college or other higher education upon graduation
 4—Your child’s understanding is ACCELERATED. He demonstrates a strong
command of Ohio’s Learning Standards for this subject. He is on track to pursue
college or other higher education upon graduation.
 3—Your child’s understanding is PROFICIENT. She demonstrates an appropriate command of Ohio’s Learning Standards for this subject. This means she is
prepared for instruction in the next grade.
 2—Your child’s understanding is BASIC. He shows a partial command of
Ohio’s Learning Standards for this subject. This means that to prepare for the
next grade, he will need support targeted to areas where he showed only a partial
command of the subject.
 1—Your child’s understanding is LIMITED. She shows a minimal command of
Ohio’s Learning Standards for this subject. This means she has gaps in her learning that need additional support if she is to be prepared for what will be taught in
the next grade.
 In Ohio, Proficient has long meant that the child is “on track” to continue learning in the next grade. However, Ohio is raising its expectations and moving toward a time when a child who scores Proficient in a subject and grade will be
considered on track to succeed in college upon graduation, without
“remediation.” (In other words, without first taking college courses that review
high school material.) For now, if your child scored at Level 3 or higher, you can
assume she is ready for the next grade.
2) The Ohio Department of Education has released preliminary state testing scores and
district comparisons. Cuyahoga Heights performed extremely well compared to the state
and local averages. The links below provide you with more specific information regarding the testing data:
 ELA Preliminary County State Test Results (ODE)
 Math Preliminary County State Test Results (ODE)
 Science Preliminary State Test Results (ODE)
 SS Preliminary County State Test Results (ODE)
All of the above information was recently released by the state. We are currently awaiting additional guidance from the state on interpretation of these scores. As we receive
more information, we will be passing that along to you.
Page 7
The Monthly Update
2015-2016 ACT and SAT Testing Dates
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS
2015-2016 ACT
(www.act.org)
Test Date
Registration Deadline
2015-2016 SAT
(www.collegeboard.org)
Test Date
Registration Deadline
February 6
January 8
January 23
December 28
April 9
March 4
March 5
February 5
June 11
May 6
May 7
April 8
June 4
May 5
How will the ACT and SAT tests factor into Graduation?
House Bill 64 and the Ohio Revised Code require the State Board of Education to adopt new rules permitting a student who began ninth grade before July 1, 2014, choices for graduation that incorporate new
graduation options. During the September 2015 meeting, the State Board voted on the intent to adopt the
proposed rules below. The State Board expects to adopt the rules at its December 2015 board meeting.
The rules then will take effect on January 1, 2016.
Proposed New Testing Options for Students Required to Take the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT)
New graduation requirements: Students who began ninth grade on or after July 1, 2014, must meet their
course requirements and one of the following options for the testing requirement:
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A total of 18 Graduation Points across all end-of-course tests;
A remediation-free score on the ACT or SAT; or
A composite score of 13 on the WorkKeys and an approved industry-recognized credential.
Students who began ninth grade before July 1, 2014, must meet their course requirements and their
current testing requirements, the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT), to graduate. However, new proposed
options will allow students additional ways to meet graduation requirements. This means that students
who must pass the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) may:
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Current: Use old graduation requirements (OGT);
New: Use new graduation requirements (see the three options above); or
New: Use new testing options to fulfill old graduation requirements (to be explained in a future
newsletter).
The Ohio Department of Education is proposing the following SAT and ACT Scores to count towards
meeting Ohio high school graduation testing requirements:
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Page 8
Mathematics—ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 520
Reading—ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 450
Writing—ACT score of 18 or SAT score of 430
Science—No proposed ACT or SAT equivalent
Social Studies—No proposed ACT or SAT equivalent
Cuyahoga Heights Middle and High School
Cuyahoga Heights Schools
4820 71st Street
Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Phone: 216-429-5700
Fax: 216-341-3737
E-mail: [email protected]
The mission of the Cuyahoga Heights Schools is to provide a safe, secure, and
nurturing learning environment that graduates students who are college and
career ready, are critical thinkers, are culturally aware, and are prepared to
be successful citizens of the 21st century.
Cuyahoga Heights
Local School District
Empowering students to reach new
HEIGHTS!
We’re on the Web!
www.cuyhts.org
CVCC Student and Parent Info
Night
CVCC Financial Aid Meeting for Parents
and HS Seniors
On Thursday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 8, from 7:00 to
9:00 p.m., the Career Center will allow future students and their parents to explore career tech programs first-hand.
The Cuyahoga Valley Career Center is sponsoring a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) information night on Wednesday,
December 9 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Programs include:
 Arts and Communication—Digital Design, Graphic Imaging
Technology, and Media Technology
 Business and Administrative Services—Medical Administrative
Specialist
 Construction Technologies—Building & Property Maintenance,
Construction Trades, Energy Systems, and Heating & Air Conditioning
 Education and Training—Teaching Professions
 Engineering Technologies—Engineering Technology
 Health Science—Dental Assisting and Health Careers
 Hospitality and Tourism—Culinary Arts & Food Services and
Hotel & Resorts
 Human Services—Cosmetology
 Information Technology—Computer Networking Academy and
Programming & Software Development
 Law and Public Safety—Public Health & Safety
 Manufacturing Technologies—Architectural & Mechanical Design and Machine Technology
 Marketing—Marketing Technology
 Transportation Systems—Auto Body Repair & Refinishing, Auto
Service Technology and Power Equipment Technology
 Programs Designed for Students with Disabilities—Job Training,
Sales & Services Fundamentals and Transition to Work
Event information is as follows:

FAFSA Information and Overview
Contact: Darden Blake - [email protected]
Event Date: 12/9/2015
Location: CVCC
Registration Starts: Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Registration Ends: Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Registration Details:
Do you have questions regarding the completion of the 2016-17 FAFSA
form? We have ANSWERS! Filing begins January 2016.
Plan to attend this event to…
 Hear from a college financial aid professional
 Receive a line-by-line explanation of the FAFSA form
 Obtain detailed instructions regarding special circumstances such
as nontraditional families
 Learn how to accurately report assets